Lady Ihuoma Steve Omeoga, Mrs. Ngozi Eleweke Shutdown Isuikwuato for Mum’s Burial
The last matriarch of the famous Isiocha Royal Family, Amaokwe Amiyi in Isuikwuato LGA of Abia State, Nneoma Helen Nwanahiudu Isiocha (nee Anusi Ojiabor) goes home in a grand style at the ripe old age of 102 (1922-2024)
It was a carnival of sorts as Lady Ihuoma Steve Omega and her elder sister, Mrs. Ngozi Christiana Eleweke laid their beloved mother, Nneoma Helen Nwanahiudu Isiocha (nee Anusi Ojiabor), the last matriarch of the entire Isiocha Royal Family of Amaokwe Amiyi, Oguduasa in Isuikwuato local government area of Abia State to rest in a blaze of glory.
The ground-breaking burial took place at her beautiful Amaokwe Amiyi residence on Friday, May 2, 2025.
The two awesomely beautiful, popular, hardworking and God-fearing sisters pulled out all the stops to ensure that they gave their beloved mother who struggled tirelessly to make sure they survived after the death of their father in their early teens a befitting burial as a token of their appreciation for her uncommon affection and colossal sacrifice.
The classy and plentiful burial aptly tagged, “A Celebration of Life Well Spent” lived up to expectations in all ramifications.
The attendance was unprecedented, security was topnotch and the atmosphere so elegant and captivating while different live-bands and cultural troupes added colour to the burial.
The duo did more than what so many rich families, high-profile celebrities, prominent politicians, top government officials and other notable personalities across the nation do on such occasion.
The burial commenced with a service of songs/tributes conducted by St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amaokwe Amiyi at her residence on Thursday, May 1, 2025 while her final journey on earth began the next day, Friday, May 2, 2025 with the departure of her remains from Madonna Mortuary, Umuahia – the capital city of Abia State.
On arrival at Isuikwuato, the large motorcade headed to her maiden home at Amiyi Obinohia where her body was received by the family of Anusi Ojiabor.
Speaking, the head of Anusi Ojiabor’s family, Pastor Sunny Best Anusi of God’s Vision Assembly, Aba described the death of the centenarian as irreplaceable.
According to him, she was a rare gem, a virtuous woman, a paragon of beauty and a strong pillar in the family adding that her death has created a very big vacuum, which would be difficult to fill.
He prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss as well as to grant her soul peaceful rest till they meet to part no more.
Thereafter, they departed to her residence for lying-in-state.
On getting very close to her house, the pallbearers popularly known in local parlance as undertakers brought out her expensive white-coloured casket, carried it on their shoulders and thrilled the people with spectacular displays.
The scenario attracted the presence of so many onlookers, sympathizers, residents and others, and caused gridlock along the popular Akara-Ogboro-Nkwonta-ABSU Road and other adjoining roads within the community.
When she was finally laid in state, family members, in-laws, friends, Anglican faithful, distinguished personalities and others went and paid their last respect to the late Nneoma Helen Nwanahiudu Isiocha.
Thereafter, the casket was closed and taken to St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amaokwe Amiyi for a funeral service.
Her body was received by the Bishop of Isuikwuato-Umunnechi Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev’d. Prof. Prince C. C. Anyim, JP, GDJ, alongside other ministers. After prayers, her casket was taken inside the church.
The funeral service featured songs, Bible reading, tributes, condolence offering, prayer for the bereaved family among others.
In their respective tributes, family members, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, in-laws and others attested to her shining virtues and exemplary life.
They described her as a devout Christian, a loving, caring, peaceful, virtuous and generous woman who touched so many lives positively adding that they would sorely miss her.
In his sermon taken from Rev. 14:13, which says: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them”, the Vicar of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amaokwe Amiyi, Venerable Christopher Udemba described the late Nneoma Helen Nwanahiudu Isiocha as a devout Christian and generous woman adding that her demise has created a very big vacuum not only in the Isiocha Royal Family but also in the Anglican Church and the society at large.
He described the death of the righteous as a blessing adding that Nneoma Helen Nwanahiudu Isiocha is not dead but sleeping very well in the Lord.
He called on Christians to live a life that pleases God so that when they die they would go home to be with their maker.
He said that Jesus Christ is coming soon and urged all those present who have not accepted him as their personal Lord and Saviour to do so now that there is still time because tomorrow might be too late.
At the end of his homily, he prayed for the entire Isiocha Royal Family asking God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and to replenish all that they have spent to give her a befitting burial as well as to grant her a peaceful rest till they meet to part no more.
In her response, the deceased’s second daughter, Lady Ihuoma Steve Omeoga expressed profound gratitude to God for keeping their beloved mother alive up to the ripe old age of 102 as well as making it possible for them to give her a befitting burial.
The renowned banker described her mother as a loving, caring and easy going woman who shared whatever she had with others and devoted her lifetime to the service of God and humanity.
She acknowledged that it is not going to be easy for them to cope with the reality that she is no more, even though, she died at the ripe old age of 102.
She expressed optimism that with God on their side, they would cope and continue to make her proud by sustaining her enviable legacies.
She thanked all those who attended her burial for their love and support, especially the St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Amaokwe Amiyi for their prayers.
She prayed God to reward them more abundantly and lead them back safely to their different destinations.
In her biography read by Omeoga Chidinma (Mama), they described the late Nneoma Helen Nwanahiudu Isiocha as an embodiment of beauty, humility, neatness, wisdom, strength, intelligence and godliness.
According to them, Nneoma Helen Nwanahiudu Isiocha participated actively in church activities and in appreciation of her service to God and humanity, the Diocese of Isuikwuato-Umunneochi (Anglican Communion) honoured her with the prestigious Ezinne title in 2003.
Nneoma Helen Nwanahiudu Isiocha died on November 21, 2024. She is survived by her two daughters, Mrs. Ngozi Christiana Eleweke, Lady Ihuoma Steve Omega, grandchildren, great grandchildren, step children, in-laws, cousins and other relations too numerous to mention.
After the funeral service, her body was taken back to her residence for interment.
Thereafter, the burial turned to a carnival of sorts. Apart from the unforgettable reception, music spectacles and other delights, they distributed assorted souvenirs to all those present.
The funeral lived up to expectations and attracted the presence of the high and mighty from far and near including the legendary Frank Fyne ‘Nwonyigbo’, Amb. Chief Sir Justin M. Ogugua, Elder Ikechukwu Alakweonye, Bern Azuonye Ikpo among others while the Isiocha Royal Family led by Prince Okezie Isiocha attended the burial in their numbers.
